Terry Goddard Announces Murder Indictment in Death of Yuma Child

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Jan. 24, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard announced today that William Charles Veach, 33, was indicted last week on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse in the 2001 death of 17-month-old Cassandra Castens. Veach was arrested over the weekend in Kingston, Okla. He waived extradition and will be transported to Phoenix.

On Jan. 18, 2001, Castens was admitted to the Yuma Regional Medical Center with injuries to her head. She was flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital after her condition worsened. The child was later transferred to a hospice care center and died on Feb. 2, 2001.

At the time of her injuries, Castens was in the care of Veach, while her mother, Nicole Castens, was at work. Veach, a Marine sergeant at the time, was stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.

If convicted, Veach faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The indictment is the result of an investigation completed by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services. Assistant Attorney General Timothy Linnins is prosecuting this case.